To get ahead in the job market it is important to be remembered for all the right reasons and to be confident in the positive impression you leave on those you encounter.
When it comes to dazzling recruiters it is essential to not only look the part, but also be their ideal candidate. Candidates who shine are those who have taken the time to prepare. This is true throughout the recruitment process; from the initial application, through the interview/assessment process, during the acceptance and referencing process and on to the first few days in a new job.
Fundamental in all of this preparation is targeting. You will, no doubt, have learned about targeting your applications from CTP staff, but the necessity to target does not end with the application stage. Here are some tips to help you stand out from other applicants:
- If a job advert provides a name and contact number within the recruiting company you can call before applying, give them a call and ask them if they have any further information they can provide about their ideal candidate. If you are lucky enough to be given some extra detail make sure you address this in your application. When you meet with the recruiting manager, make sure you look the part. Even if the job does not require you to wear a suit it is appropriate to wear a suit at interview – not only does it make you look smart, but it also demonstrates to the interviewer that you care about the impression you give.
- Plan your 30 second commercial: make sure you are telling people who you are; what your key strengths or expertise are; what achievements you have, relative to this opportunity; what job is it you are after. Practice makes perfect with this – the more you practice, the more it will flow off the tongue at those crucial moments.
- Targeting your responses at interview can make the difference between being someone the recruiter isn’t 100% sure about and being the person they want to hire. Often interviews are scored and the highest score belongs to the person who is offered the job. This means that you have to do everything you can to ensure you score the highest.
- The job description and/or person specification will have indicated what matters to the employer, e.g. ability to meet targets, working as part of a team, improving working processes, communication skills, etc. If you prepare and practice your answers you will have a bank of examples you can use in an interview and, again, the more you practice, the slicker the presentation and the more likely you are to come out on top.
Standing out from the crowd is also fundamentally about letting people see how great you are. Understanding what makes you someone worth giving an opportunity to is about knowing who you are and what you want. This can all sound very daunting but luckily you have the CTP here to support you!
Make sure that you get the most out of our service by asking for support from your Career Consultant or local Employment Consultant.